Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 774979 times)

marjifay · « **Reply #4240 on:** January 09, 2013, 09:02:12 AM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

Interesting list of books, Barb. I've put a couple on my TBR list, including Why God Won't Go Away.

A couple of my recommendations: (I have a page full, but these are to the point and not long-winded):

Letter to a Christian Nation by Sam Harris
Jesus Interrupted; Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible by Bart D. Ehrman

Marj

Babi · « **Reply #4241 on:** January 09, 2013, 09:25:00 AM »

Certainly responsibility is based on freedom of choice. If I am not allowed to discipline
a troublemaker, I cannot be held responsible for his undisciplined actions. There is a
physical source of our pleasure, as you point out, BARB, but there is also a mind capable
of thought and decision. IMO, it depends on which is the 'boss' in our lives. The body and
it's wants, or the mind and it's choices?
To me, 'predestination' would mean I really have no choice or control over anything. Yet how many times do you see in the scriptures, "Choose ye..."? If I have no choice, than nothing that happens can be my fault, or 'sin'.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4242 on:** January 09, 2013, 01:30:07 PM »

Marjifay, I have a set of lectures from The Teaching Company that are called From Jesus to Constantine and are given by Professor Bart D. Ehrman at UNC at Chapel Hill. He got his Ph.D. in Divinity from Princeton and is Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Chapel Hill. I have at least a couple of his books around here, as well. There are 24 lectures in my set of DVDs.

maryz · « **Reply #4243 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:08:36 PM »

MaryPage, don't you love the Teaching Co.? We have lots of their courses.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4244 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:14:09 PM »

Yes, I DO love them. And I have shown an excess of zeal and purchased way too many of them, and now force myself to throw away the catalogs without looking at them and ignore the emails offering sales until such a time as I actually catch up and WATCH and STUDY all of these more than 30 I have yet to take up.

What an old silly I am. But enthusiastic!

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4245 on:** January 09, 2013, 02:55:22 PM »

MaryPage, I must join your "Old Silly Club". I have ordered a multitude of Teaching Company/Great Courses programs. I have Art, Religion, Literature, Writing, WWI and WWII and other History. I dare not count the hours I need to remain amongst the living to take in all these wonderful programs. Have several of Bart Erhman's. Of course, you know that I am the same way about BOOKS, (yes, that's capitalized!) my great love, books. Will never finish reading all of the ones I have on hand either.

marjifay · « **Reply #4246 on:** January 09, 2013, 03:38:17 PM »

Thanks, Mary Page. I did not know Dr. Ehrman had lectured for The Teaching Company. Will look for them.

I've often been tempted to purchase some of the Teaching Company's lecture courses, but have never done so. Just got one of their catalogs in the mail, and love to look thru it.

Marj

maryz · « **Reply #4247 on:** January 09, 2013, 03:46:10 PM »

I don't think John has ever bought one for full price...he just waits until they go on sale.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4248 on:** January 09, 2013, 03:56:29 PM »

Yes, read Jesus Interrupted; Revealing the Hidden Contradictions in the Bible by Bart D. Ehrman back some time ago - and yes, there are so many discrepancies that we can point to that make us think, how in the world can anyone believe this stuff - but again, every Christian does not take to their heart every aspect of Christianity. I just think we have to respect everyone's spiritual life -

Dogma is simply Law and like living and caring for our family and neighbor we seldom bang up against something that brings the Law into question. There are many laws on the books that we individually do not agree with - but then how many of us have been sued - Do you have a hitching post in front of your house - a law still on the books in many states - and like it or not while in our vehicle we have to obey laws that we sometimes are ticketed for - Knowing the history of how the law came about helps whether it is local Laws or Church laws called Dogma.

With Dogma only affecting those who live in that community which I understand is a great number - like over half the world population - no one is asking anyone not a part of this community to adapt Dogma to replace any international or in the US national law - if someone has suggested you are not acceptable because of your belief that is more about them than you - I do believe we can respect others to take care of their own spirituality just as I do believe respect can be afforded to those who do not agree on any issue but for sure who they place their trust with for their spiritual growth.

I am sorry my long winded posts are not to your liking - I do the best I can as I am sure you do your best - no one is suggesting pithy posts are something to comment on. We disagree on how we express ourselves both in posts and in our spiritual life - that is fine we simply disagree.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4249 on:** January 09, 2013, 05:40:17 PM »

I think it is funny we are discussing religion in the Fiction discussion - maybe - who knows - however, I have yet to see a business graph for a balanced life or a 'make change in the New Year' circle graph that does not include among its 6 or 7 areas a section for improving your spiritual life - ah so we each improve in our own way... even Tolkien explored spirituality in his fiction novels the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings.

maryz · « **Reply #4250 on:** January 09, 2013, 06:41:33 PM »

Barb, that's the great thing about books - you never know where they'll lead you!

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4251 on:** January 09, 2013, 07:06:41 PM »

[ (The Savage Garden' by Mark Mills - AWFUL self-indulgent rubbish)

Rosemary
[/quote]
Rosemary, our group read The Savage Garden a couple years ago, and was well-received by almost all. In fact, I
was the one who recommended it I think it was in our Mystery Club, rather than the general club. I thoroughly enjoyed it myself. What was the self-indulgent you referred to?

Steph · « **Reply #4252 on:** January 10, 2013, 06:22:59 AM »

Oh me.. I think discussing religion is a slippery slope for sure... People feel so differently about it.. I sort of back away from all the discussions.. After my husband died, I got a lot of very nice people who truly did not realize or know my husband.. Speaking of where he was and how he was was offensive in many ways.. He truly did not believe in any of it and was quite adamant about it.. The last words I spoke when they took away all of the machines.. was " I know you don't believe, but just in case, you better wait for me" and I think in a small secret place that he looks over me as a pure spirit..

maryz · « **Reply #4253 on:** January 10, 2013, 08:35:38 AM »

He's in your heart, Steph - and will always be there for you.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4254 on:** January 10, 2013, 01:31:33 PM »

I never get into the subject of Religion. Have many people around me who try to preach as to why I should be a church goer etc. Get into the Christmas spirit. Pray for me over the smallest thing.
I just say one thing. "God and I have a good understanding" and leave it at that.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #4255 on:** January 10, 2013, 02:52:57 PM »

Did someone on here, or on "The Library" board, or Seniors and Friends post about "Book Movement"? Do you have a book group you used or just individually? I went there and registered. I wanted to enter to win a book, but they seem to want only book club members to enter, and you have to show the names and emails of your book group members. I am hesitant to do that. Some feedback please if you subscribe to that one?

Frybabe · « **Reply #4256 on:** January 10, 2013, 03:11:38 PM »

Tome, I think it is a site mostly for people who manage book clubs rather than individuals.

marjifay · « **Reply #4257 on:** January 10, 2013, 07:31:24 PM »

Barb posted, "I am sorry my long winded posts are not to your liking - I do the best I can as I am sure you do your best - no one is suggesting pithy posts are something to comment on. We disagree on how we express ourselves both in posts and in our spiritual life - that is fine we simply disagree."

Barb, if you were speaking to me, I did not mean you were long-winded. I was talking about books that were long-winded.

Marj

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4258 on:** January 11, 2013, 12:06:19 AM »

Whoops I see - it is really easy to misunderstand when writing is our only communication - tone of voice and body language says more than we realize and we were coming from different directions on the topic - alls well

Steph · « **Reply #4259 on:** January 11, 2013, 06:23:33 AM »

I remember on the old Senior Net,, some of the discussions got soooo rude and offensive. I am sure that the people involved were not that awful in person. Politics got toxic as did religion and womens rights..

Babi · « **Reply #4260 on:** January 11, 2013, 09:38:39 AM »

Oh, you are so right about that, BARB. In fact, body language can sometimes convey one's
opinion very clearly, without a word spoken. And a simple change of tone can totally
change the meaning of a word or phrase.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4261 on:** January 11, 2013, 02:32:07 PM »

Personally, I simply adore, eat up in fact, hearing each and every individual's opinion when they are intelligent enough, as all I have encountered in here certainly are, to back up those opinions with reference to how they came by them. It matters not to me if one or more is 180° opposite me; I truly enjoy the give and take.

But name calling and personal attacks send me scuttling off forever and ever. I strongly dislike rude, crude and unrefined. If you cannot tell someone what you think without attacking the person you are telling, you were not raised to be a Lady. Period.

Oh, and my reference to that statement? All of my great grandmothers, grandmothers, great aunts, aunts, mother and stepmother, and various others. My teachers taught us you show true intelligence best if you can debate without attack. Hard to do sometimes, but much, much more civilized than every political or religious forum I have ever tried, drat it!

Barbara, I wondered why on earth you thought someone in here thought you had too much to say. My Dear Friend, it is closer to truth that you do not go on long enough. Now, next time you feel offense has been given, I challenge you to read again the post that hurts. And if someone does attack you, I will stand right behind you and come to your defense.

ginny · « **Reply #4262 on:** January 11, 2013, 04:00:07 PM »

Interesting topic about the length of posts. One would think as readers we would love to read posts but I've had people tell me they never read mine, they are too long.

I hate that because I'm not capable of making short ones. hhaahaa So I put mine in green so they are more easily skipped. After all, at this age, I'm used to talking to myself.

I have tried, tho, and I do try to leave lots of white space, in the vain hope that helps, but the way we write is who we are. How I envy people who can keep it succinct, and with a few words say exactly what they mean.

There's not going to be any attacking going on , on this website. OUR readers are too intelligent.

(And just look: 4 paragraphs to say that).

JoanK · « **Reply #4263 on:** January 11, 2013, 04:16:24 PM »

I like the variety of posts, and if I haven't much time, or feel like skimming one, then no one has to know. Another day, I might wish there is more to read.

The problem with discussing religion is that there might be ten people who are respecting others' opinions, but it only takes one being rude and disrespectful to turn the whole discussion sour. That's why I usually skip such discussions.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4264 on:** January 11, 2013, 06:35:46 PM »

OVer in Sand F. we don't have problems as they don't seem to get into Religion at all. However it did get a little one sided before the Elections. I got in but got out pretty fast. Still read them once in awhile but still to one sided. A few other subjects come up once in awhile.

I have not been told to Leave the Country for awhile......

JeanneP · « **Reply #4265 on:** January 11, 2013, 06:44:15 PM »

Not seen any of the Switched at Birth on TV. (I don't have Cable). It is at the Library on DVD but must be new as they are not loaning it to our library from the big one other side of Town. Will tell ours and they will buy it. Lots of names waiting at the other library. Thats reason will not loan.

However ours does have all the Seasons for "Brothers and Sisters " and so ordered them.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4266 on:** January 11, 2013, 06:45:25 PM »

Bye the way. That is one Handsome French Man playing in Switched at birth. He was on TV talk show this morning.

Steph · « **Reply #4267 on:** January 12, 2013, 06:49:25 AM »

What is switched at birth?? A real TV show or another tiresome real life stuff.

MaryPage · « **Reply #4268 on:** January 12, 2013, 09:00:34 AM »

NOT one of those reality shows, Steph. You could not PAY me to watch one of those!

No, this is a show that was new a year or two ago and was written to be family-friendly. In fact, it has been shown only on the ABC FAMILY channel, and you can probably catch it on ON DEMAND.

I am tiring of it now, but the story was new and fresh and delightful at first. The acting is quite marvelous. Two baby girls born the same day in the same hospital get switched at birth. And no one knows until they turn 15 and one of them, the one whose family is rich and who goes to a posh private school, is studying genes in her Biology class and blood types and all that and discovers her blood type does not match her families. All hell breaks loose from that point, and the other girl, poor and deaf, is found and adored (well, the actress IS adorable!) and that little family (the father left when she was 3 because he did not believe she was his daughter, but that his wife had cheated on him) moves in over the rich families garages. There are a number of deaf characters, as the poor girl goes to a school for the deaf. Marlee Matlin, the Academy Award winner, and Lea Thompson are quite outstanding. Well, everyone is great, actually; but the writers are running out of steam now. However, I adored the first couple of seasons, and you might well also. A lot of love shown and very little violence, sex or cursing. I hate those 3 things, but one just cannot completely get away from them these days.

Babi · « **Reply #4269 on:** January 12, 2013, 09:12:05 AM »

MARYPAGE, the mandate I used with my kids was "rude, crude, and socially unacceptable".
They were amused, but accepted it as a good guideline.

I talk to myself, too, GINNY, mostly because that is the only voice I can still 'hear'.
But I wouldn't call that last post four paragraphs. It's more like four brief statements,
all intelligent, good-humored and 'succinct'.
We all have our own style, just as we each have our own personality. Viva!

ginny · « **Reply #4270 on:** January 12, 2013, 10:19:48 AM »

Babi, you're a bright light with always something worth reading to say.

pedln · « **Reply #4271 on:** January 12, 2013, 01:13:35 PM »

There was another "Switched at Birth" several years ago -- I don't know if it's a true story or not, but two girls, switched at a very small hospital. Then one of the children had a heart condition, and like the current show, the mixup was discovered through the blood tests done prior to her surgery. And I think the mother of one of the girls had died, and she and her father wanted to stay together. Does anyone remember that show?

MaryPage · « **Reply #4272 on:** January 12, 2013, 11:27:17 PM »

That was not a show. That was a true life documentary. That really happened.

This is a television series. Totally fiction, but quite superior to most TV.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4273 on:** January 13, 2013, 12:00:00 AM »

Good grief you can't trust anyone - I guess the thing to do is before the baby leaves the room take the footprint and then retake it as you leave the hospital. this kind of stuff really riles up my disgust and anger with those who we put so much faith in that will take care of us when we are the most vulnerable.

Babi · « **Reply #4274 on:** January 13, 2013, 08:39:31 AM »

Oh, GINNY, I'm blushing!

Steph · « **Reply #4275 on:** January 13, 2013, 11:26:25 AM »

Babi, you always have wise things to say on books and life..
Switched at Birth. I do remember the true story.Was in all the papers and tv..
I may look at the other.. I order things on Netflix and maybe they have it.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4276 on:** January 13, 2013, 06:55:18 PM »

Been years since I read any books by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Loved her first one " A Women of Substance" As I am from the same Area in UK as she was. She used all the true names of streets, busineses, Was very true to life back in the early 1900s.but then she started putting out to many. I think she now has over 28 books printed. Seems she wrote better before she came to the USA. Got rich.

Steph · « **Reply #4277 on:** January 14, 2013, 06:02:47 AM »

Iread a Woman of Substance and maybe two others by Bradford. But she got very predictable.. On the other hand, I loved Maeve Binchy,but she was not that original, but somehow made you care about her characters. She loved to use the same people , sometimes as the focus, sometimes as simply another person in the book.. That was fun.

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #4278 on:** January 14, 2013, 01:40:21 PM »

I agree I liked reading books written by Maeve Binchy and the other I also like is Rosamunde Pilcher and another I am finding tells a good story is Patrick Taylor his Irish Doctor series.

JeanneP · « **Reply #4279 on:** January 14, 2013, 07:13:35 PM »

I just picked up "Women of Substance" thinking would read again. However it is sort of worn out, Dirty looking. Surprises me for a library book. Had a lot of wear and tear. Wonder why they haven't replaced it.

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 774979 times)